Boating Community Affiliations

The Toronto International Boat Show is proud to be affiliated with organizations committed to education and training, safety, environmental stewardship, and community benefit.

Boating Ontario Association

Our members represent your local marinas, boat dealers, brokers, boat & engine service centres and suppliers to the marine industry across the province. Boating Ontario provides several programs that support the recreational boating industry in Ontario.

The Boating Ontario Directory available for free at booth #1754, is your guide to the waterways providing comprehensive listings of our members and divided into boating regions of Ontario along with tourism information to make your boating experience the best it can be.

The Ontario-developed Clean Marine Eco-Rating Program continues to be the World’s leading environmental “Best Management Practices” program for marinas, boat dealers, yacht clubs and marine businesses.

Boating Ontario is proud to support the Careers in Boating – Catch the Wave Program. Designed to attract new students into the Marine Engine Technician from the Robert Hartog- Recreational Boating Centre of Excellence, Georgian College, Midland Campus.

As the largest marine trade association in Canada, Boating Ontario is a powerful voice for recreational boating in all matters that relate to boating such as taxes, border crossings, safety requirements, environmental issues, policing issues, boaters’ licenses, and more. To find our more visit us at www.boatingontario.ca.

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Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons/Escradrilles canadiennes de plaisance

CPS-ECP is a community of passionate boaters across Canada who are committed to safety, boating education, and having fun on the water. It is a national volunteer-driven organization with a long-standing reputation for offering high-quality educational courses. With a 75-year plus history and a membership of over 24,000 in 150 Squadrons across the country, CPS-ECP has played a major role in boating culture in Canada and is the established leader for the training of recreational boaters. CPS-ECP works co-operatively with Transport Canada, Industry Canada, Fisheries and Oceans, Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary, and many other organizations involved in safe boating. For more information visit www.boatingcourses.ca.

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Canadian Safe Boating Council

Organized in 1991, the Canadian Safe Boating Council (CSBC) is in the business of promoting safe and responsible boating. This is accomplished through providing boating and water safety organizations across Canada with boating safety resource materials and delivering boating safety messaging direct to the public. Key activities of the CSBC include an annual Symposium attracting attendees from around the world, presenting the annual Canadian Safe Boating Awards (CASBAs), and managing the Canadian Safe Boating Campaign, which includes North American Safe Boating Awareness Week as its cornerstone activity. As part of its ongoing commitment to boating safety, boaters will also find a wealth of information including boating safety tips, videos and information on the CSBC website.

CharterAbility

CharterAbility is a registered charity dedicated to providing accessible, recreational, boating at no cost to people of all ages deprived of the opportunity due to physical limitations or personal circumstances.

On 16-Mile Creek adjoining Busby Park, our dock is fully accessible as are onsite washrooms and the pontoon boat that transports guests on an hour-long voyage of discovery into a wildlife sanctuary in the heart of downtown Oakville. Donations fund the trips, and dedicated volunteers crew the boat.

We are committed to improving lives by enabling time on the water, in safety and with dignity, relaxing in the company of friends, families and/or companions. Visit www.CharterAbility.com.

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CNIB’s Lake Joseph Centre

CNIB’s Lake Joseph Centre (known as “Lake Joe”) is a fully accessible lakefront facility located in the Muskoka region, providing a unique blend of recreation and vision rehabilitation for people who are blind or partially sighted. Individuals have an opportunity to take part in traditional camp activities like canoeing, hiking, horseback riding and swimming (as well as social activities and skills-training workshops that help them build their independence), all within a fully accessible environment, specially designed to support the needs and challenges faced by people with vision loss. To learn more, visit cnib.ca/lakejo or call the CNIB Helpline at 1-800-563-2642.

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Discover Boating Canada

Discover Boating Canada is a public awareness effort managed by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) on behalf of the recreational boating industry. Discover Boating programs focus on creating interest in recreational boating by demonstrating the benefits, affordability and accessibility of the boating lifestyle while helping to educate potential boaters and offering opportunities to experience the fun and togetherness of being on the water in a boat. For more information visit DiscoverBoating.ca.

The Discover Boating Centre is your one-stop resource for boating information and advice. While at the boat show, visit the Discover Boating Centre to get started in boating or learn how to make the most of your time on the water. Stop by for answers to all your boating questions, unbiased advice on choosing a boat that suits your lifestyle, and resources to help you get started.

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Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Association

FOCA is the Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations, a not-for-profit membership organization representing 50,000 families in more than 500 volunteer lake associations. For over 50 years, FOCA has been the voice of waterfront Ontario.

We are lucky to have thousands of beautiful lakes and rivers to enjoy in Ontario, and boating is a central part of our heritage and history. We have a shared responsibility as boaters to keep our waterways safe and clean. Talk to FOCA about learning to help stop the spread of invasive species, become a water steward, and more. Join us! foca.on.ca.

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Georgian Bay Land Trust (GBLT)

Protecting Wilderness Now & Forever

GBLT preserves wilderness lands and ecologically important habitat on Georgian Bay. With the aid of 250 volunteers, this registered charity accepts and cares for these Georgian Bay jewels in perpetuity through expertise in land stewardship.

There are, as of today, over 21,000 acres of ecologically important, developable lands on Georgian Bay’s eastern coastline. Providing a choice for individuals to preserve wilderness forever has the potential for long-term impact on the region’s ecological health and equally on the enjoyment by all Georgian Bayers who come for rejuvenation and relaxation in this unspoiled landscape. GBLT uses the critical pillars of education and research to further its mission. Please visit www.gblt.org.

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National Marine Manufacturers Association Canada

National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) Canada is dedicated to advocating for and promoting the strength of marine manufacturing, the sales and service networks of its members, and the boating lifestyle. NMMA is the leading association representing the recreational boating industry in North America. NMMA member companies produce more than 80 percent of the boats, engines, trailers, accessories and gear used by boaters and anglers throughout the U.S. and Canada. For more information please visit www.nmma.ca or www.nmma.org.

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Ontario Sailing Association

Dedicated to developing life-long boaters, Ontario Sailing is a not-for-profit, volunteer organization committed to the promotion and development of all aspects of boating and sailing. Ontario Sailing consists of over 180 member clubs, sailing schools, camps, charters and affiliates who represent over 10,000 member families and services over 100,000 boaters.

Ontario Sailing develops member participation and competition in boating through leadership in:

Project Canoe

Project Canoe, a registered Canadian charity, uses the outdoors, including wilderness canoeing, to create a transformative environment in which youth who face a variety of barriers, develop life skills, social competencies, and resiliency, fostering their own personal success. We partner with our youth, supporting them as they carry these skills and successes forward to manage the complex challenges of their lives. We gently encourage individuals to challenge themselves to achieve success.

The Muskoka Lakes Association

The Muskoka Lakes Association was formed in 1894 and is Canada's oldest cottage association. The MLA's mission is to promote the responsible use, enjoyment and conservation of the unique Muskoka environment. Our efforts are concentrated in four areas: we protect and promote water quality, we advocate for responsible government and fair taxation, we promote responsible land use and we lead on important Muskoka issues. Our vision is that, through the achievement of our mission, present and future generations will benefit from our efforts. Invest in Muskoka’s future now by becoming an MLA member!

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Sturgeon Lake Sailing Club

Established in 1956, the Sturgeon Lake Sailing Club provides junior sailing instruction to youth from 8 to 18, during the summer months, in Ontario’s Kawartha lakes cottage community. The club hosts acclaimed regattas, and has a competitive race team that participates enthusiastically in regattas throughout Ontario.

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The Port Elgin Boat Club

The Port Elgin Boat Club was started in 1946 by local boaters. At the time, boaters felt there was a need for an organized group to assist one another and promote boating in the Port Elgin area. That same shared feeling of boating community continues today. The Port Elgin Yacht Club has approximately 55 members which includes mostly sailboats but also includes non-boaters and power boaters alike. Club activities include an organized spring lift-in and fall lift-out, special sailing events, potluck dinners and a Club sailing / racing program. During the summer, many of our Club members travel together to explore the North Channel or go for a weekend anchorage in the Fishing Islands. Our members feel a need to promote boating to people who do not have the opportunity to experience the fun of being on a boat and we are actively trying to encourage interest in sailing and boating in the Port Elgin area.

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Port Colborne Marina Auxiliary Rescue

The Port Colborne Marina Auxiliary Rescue is an all volunteer marine search and rescue unit based on Eastern Lake Erie. Crew members are on-call 24/7 throughout the boating season to provide emergency response for persons and vessels in distress. As a member of the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary, their mandate is "100% lives saved on the water".